INSTALLATIONS: SMARTECH EQUIPS GLOBAL SIGNS WITH ROBUST KIT

Smartech equips Global Signs with robust kit

Global Signs has improved on its speed to market and environmental efficiency after it purchased two HP Latexes and a Neocut 2516 from Smartech

NSW-based company Global Signs has purchased several machines from Smartech Business Systems over the past six months, alleviating challenges that it was facing previously and transforming its business.

Global Signs owner Joseph Lagana said the company initially invested in a HP Latex 700W from Smartech Business Systems around the middle of this year as it needed a machine that produced quality results while being environmentally friendly.

“Our business has evolved from being a vinyl plotter many years ago to expanding into wide format – predominantly servicing retail, and more recently moving into the online space also,” he said.

Global Signs’ Joseph Lagana with the Neocut 2516 machine

“Increasingly, over the last few years, we were being asked by clients about our printing processes and how environmentally friendly they were. Our industry is quite notorious for being the opposite – from its use of solvent inks and plastics, even through to some of the installation processes.

“So, one thing we could never get was the green process of printing. That got our minds ticking, because we wanted to be more conscious of the environment but also have a solution that was safer for our staff to operate. This drew us to HP and its Latex range.

“After we used the HP Latex 700W, we found that the results we were creating were of better quality. It also allowed us a much better print process and was greener. It was a big change for us, but a positive one.”

Lagana said the business had a lot of options at that price range but picked the HP Latex as it is the only Latex flatbed in the market and seamlessly worked with its Onyx workflow system that it had in place since it started operating 15 years ago.

Not long after installing the HP Latex 700W, Global Signs wanted to take advantage of the growth opportunities that presented themselves and further boost the company’s productivity. It then invested in a HP Latex R1000 and Neocut 2516, also through Smartech, at PacPrint.

“This investment just skyrocketed our productivity. We decided quite quickly to go with the R1000 and the reason we ended up with the Neocut was because we said we wouldn’t buy another flatbed without a cutter. We never had an automated cutting system and used to outsource this work, which resulted in us losing speed as we were always relying on someone else to do it for us,” Lagana said.

The HP Latex R1000 gives Global Signs roll-to-roll and flatbed capabilities

“HP is ahead of its time with its technology and is the benchmark for any serious business. It has spent a lot of money on R&D, and has perfected its Latex machines. The R1000 gave us roll-to-roll and flatbed capabilities, and the Neocut has added to that as well. It has been a huge, positive change for our business.”

Lagana mentioned that the service support from Smartech has been second to none.

“There are many resellers of HP machines, but we found Smartech’s technicians to be the best in their field. I’ve been around print since I was young but when it comes to the technical side of things, you need that support. And that’s where Smartech carries itself exceptionally as it has some good technicians,” he mentioned.

“They’ve also got colour specialists who’ve helped us get rid of colour inconsistency; we’ve got colour management across both the Latexes now.”

Moving forward, Lagana expects these machines to support Global Signs as it heads down a growth path.

“We’re trying to grow the business and we’ve got our eyes on the next 20 to 30 years, not just tomorrow. My aim is for Global Signs to be one of the biggest wide format printers in Australia. And to survive today, especially with labour being scarce or costs being extremely expensive, you need machines that can deliver on productivity,” he said.

Lagana with the HP Latex R1000 (l) and HP Latex 700W (r)

“So, we need to be smart with how we purchase equipment and make sure that we take the right path.”

In addition, Lagana said Smartech will continue to be its trusted partner.

“We’ve always had them as our main supplier; our relationship will continue as it always has. Going down the HP route will help them and help us in the future,” he said.

“Looking forward, whether it’s an additional machine or a larger one, I foresee that relationship with Smartech to be there.”